Apparatus for the conversion of hydrocarbon oils



v. L. EMERSON.

APPARATUS FOR THE CONVERSION OF HYDROCARBON OILS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 6, I920.

Patented July 13, 1920.

3 SHEEISSHEEI l.

j worm xfim Guam/1,

V. L. EMERSON.

APPARATUS FOR THE CONVERSION OF HYDROCARBON OILS. APPLICATION FILED MAY6, 1920.

1,3%,79'7. Patented uly 13,1920.

I V is 60680218 I 7 7 Z5 Produaic ii I A Hil gwumllo'c arson.

v. L. EM'ERSON. APPARATUS FOR THE CONVERSION OF HYDROCARBON OILS.APPLICATION FILED MAY6,1920.

amp, 7

VICTOR LEE EMERSON, F PHI ADELP IA; PENNSYLVANIA.

APPARATUS FOR THE CONVERSION OF HYDROCARBON OILS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 13, 1920.,

Original application filed May 6, 1920, Serial No.-379,358. Divided and.this application filed May 6,

" 1920. Serial No. 379,357.

water and sulfur compounds and other imnew Improvements'in Apparatus forthe Conversion of Hydrocarbon Oils, of which I the following is aspecification.

\Vhile this invention relates broadly to distillation and conversion ofcomplex chemical combinations into new atomic groups, it relates morespecifically to an apparatus for the conversion of heavy hydrocarbonoils into lighter hydrogen oils. This application is a continuation inpart of my application Serial No. 335,563, filed November 3, 1919.

It is an object of my invention to eliminate the impurities in the oil,such as sulfur and water and similar foreign compounds to prevent themfrom forming objectionable combinations in the still, such as carbonbisul fid, and to prevent the elements of oxygen and hydrogen containedin any water present in theoil and forming explosive compounds byuniting with the carbonaceous vapors or gaseous products in the still.Heretofore oil stills have usually been fed directly with the oilwithout previously treating the same so that the impurities or foreignmatter referred to are removed. which often results in the destructionof the still or serious interference with the operation of the process.Violent explosions have taken place where there was apparently littlepressure on the still. These are apparently due to the result of aquantity of water or moisture being fed to the still while it is at ahigh temperature. Sulfur also accompanies the oil in many cases. Theoxygen of the water, combining with the carbonaceous gases, formschemical combinations in which combustion takes place, rapidly supportedby the hydrogen contained in the water and the sulfurous gases present,resulting in violent explosions.

With the present apparatus these dangers are entirely avoided as thecontained purities are removed prior to the introduction of the oil intothe-still. It is an object of the present invention to provide for theremoval of impurities or foreign compounds from the oil prior to theadmission ofthe same into the still.

It is a further object of the presentinvention to utilize the heat inthe gaseous products coming from the still to preheat the oil before itis pumped into the still. This results in the evaporation of any Waterheld in suspension and removes any sulfurous compounds that might enterinto combina-- tion with either the oil, water or gaseous products. theheavier products coming over in gaseous form from the still, arecondensed by contact with a body of oil which is at a lower temperatureand conversely the readily Va.- porizable material in the body of oil istransformed into vapor by the heat transmitted to the same from thegaseous products brought in contact therewith.

It is likewise an object of my invention to subject the heavier oil tothe action ofimpact and the heat of the gaseous products from the still,and to combine the same with At the same time, a portion of suchproducts from thestill as are condensed on contact with the body of oilat a lower temperature. The preheated and 'pretreated oil andcondensates are injected into the materialcontained in the still and aresubjected to a cracking reaction by reason of the higher temperature ofthematerial into which they are injected.

It is obvious that the material into which they. are injected is ata-higher temperature than the material injected. This is due to the factthat the material in the still has been robbed of the lower boiling oilsby distillation.

In'carrying out the operation the hydrocarbons having a relatively lowboiling point, are subjected to the heat of the res'idual' hydrocarbonsundergoing treatment under high pressure and temperature which have ahigh boiling point.

The supply of low boiling hydrocarbons to the high boiling hydrocarbonsin the still not only utilizes the temperature and heat of the highboiling hydrocarbons to cause the cracking reaction of the low boilinghydrocarbons,

.but the low boiling hydrocarbons, when intermixed with the high boilinghydrocarbons, act to maintain the entire mixture in such a state as toavoid the formation of hard carbon and free gas by excessive crackingdue to the extreme temperatures accomgive a high velocity to the gaseousproducts from the still sufficient to cause molecular dissociation onimpact either of the gaseous products themselves or in combination withthe oil. The molecular dissociation produces a condition inducive to theformation of 'new atomic groups and the production of a product oflighter gravity and lower boiling point.

Before proceeding-to describe the apparatus in detail, I deem it best toexplain certain theories which I believe are involved, but I do thismerely in order that those skilled in the art may more clearlyappreciate its peculiar characteristics and may consequently apply it inpractical use. I wish it to be understood that the patentable novelty ofmy apparatus does not depend upon the scientific accuracy of thetheories advanced. The theories are given by way of explanation of thephenomena occurring in operation. While not limiting myself to any onetheory or hypothesis, it would appear that the high velocity of thegaseous products from the still, and fluid intermixed therewith, giverise to a molecular attrition of extreme violence at the point ofimpact. A large amount of heat is also liberated at the point of impact.The attrition caused by impact aids at this point to reduce the massesto very fine particles which renders them particularly susceptible tochemical dissociation due to the action of the various henomenaattendant upon impact, One 0 the phenomena attendant upon impact, whichI believe aids in the chemical dissociation, is that of ionization. Thefriction attendant upon attrition at the point of impact sets up anelectrical eifect which causes the ionization. The heat liberated at thepoint of impact has its well known function of aiding the chemicalaction at this point and supplies heat to be subsequently utilized inthe treatment of the h drocarbons during the cycle of operation.

he cracking decomposition of organic compounds by heat is explained onthe basis of the occurrence of inter-molecular collisions of suchviolence that the bonds holding together the various atoms or groups areruptured. The degree of cracking varies as the temperature towhich thesubstance is heated. The shock of impact sets up violent molecularvibrations which cause intermolecular collisions similar to the actionof heat which cause dissociation on impact. All these phenomena areattendant upon impact and are inducive to the chemical dissociationherein set forth. It is suflicient to say that, due to such effects asthese, a molecular arrangement is produced and new atomic groups areformed and a very large proportion of the lighter and simplehydrocarbons result from this reaction.

The preheating of the hydrocarbon mass causes the, hydrocarbons toapproach the point of impact in a heated state, and consequent readinessto be cracked by the action of impact and its attendant phenomena. Inobtaining this dissociation by impact and its attendant phenomena, thereis an absence of the surrounding pressure which would otherwise beessential were it to be carried out in a confined chamber under heat.

It will be apparent that the gaseous products and liquid hydrocarbonsare rapidly subjected to temperature changes. The gaseous products, onreaching the jets, have been cooled by expansion, thereafter they areheated by impact and are again cooled by being brought in contact withthe liquids which are maintained at a lower temperature than the gaseousproducts. The liquids are raised in temperature by intermixture with thegaseous products from the still and undergo temperature changes alongwith these gaseous products. The constant rapid change of temperaturepromotes the dissociation of the hydrocarbon molecules by subjectingthem to repeated and sudden changes "in stress due to temperaturechanges, which tend to overcome their chemical inertia. .Thus, themolecular dissociation of the high boiling heavy hydrocarbon oils isaccomplished in a manner which avoids a temperature productive of apressure which would be destructive to the containing vessel in theordinary apparatuses.

The term attrition is used in the description of the reaction takingplace on impact, but it should be understood that this term not onlycovers a mechanical attrition but a molecular and atomic attrition aswell in the present instance. I

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear hereinafter.

In order to render my present invention clear, reference is had to theaccompanying drawings in which I Figure 1 is a vertical section of oneform of apparatus for carrying out the conversion of hydrocarbon oils;

1 on an enlarged scale, in which the still and pump are showndiagrammatically;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section of the rear heater of the still shown inFig. 1, illustrating in particular the liquid impelling apparatus.

In the apparatus disclosed in Fig. 1, I employ a still shown at '1.While it is within the scope of my invention to employ variwhich isherein shown, being the type of still shown in my Patent No. 1,337,831,granted April 20, 1920, with certain modifications as will hereinafterappear. While my apparatus is capable of being operated through a widerange of temperatures and pressures,

and the details of the apparatus are capable of variation w thin thescope of my invention which is not limited to the particulartemperatures, pressures or details mentione or disclosed, the followingis an example of the execution of my process ina particular instance.While my apparatus is adapted for the conversion of hydrocarbon oilsbroadly, I find that satisfactory results, when operating on fuel oil,will be obtained by the use of a pressure in the still of 75 toIOU-pounds per square inch with an accompanying temperature of sevenhundred to eight hundred degrees Fahrenheit. With this temperature andpressure, a cracking'reaction will take place with the attendantformation of gaseous products. The products of distillation which comeover from the still include true gases, such as hydrogen, vapors,saturated vapors and gases, and particles of the material undergoingdistillation which return in the liquid form and are held in suspensionby the gaseous products. I usethe term gaseous products to cover all thematerial coming over from the still as described.

To facilitate the description, I refer to the apparatus to the left ofFig. 1 to which the gaseous products from the still are delivered, asthe primary still and the high pressure still to the right of Fig. 1 asthe secondary still, since the oils is first treated still 1"are led bya pipe 2 to a primary still 3. In this form of apparatus the receptacle4 is of any desired shape or size to which a supply of fresh heavyhydrocarbon 011 indicated at 5, is fed through a suitable feed pipe 6which isv controlled by" a valve 7.

This valve may be either manually or auto- 'matically controlled tomaintain a.certain predetermined quantity of oil in the apparatus. Thevalve ,7 herein shown is conthe receptacle.

trolled by a float 8, the limit df whose action is controlled by anadjustable thumb screw seated in the top wall of the receptacle. Therevoluble member of the valve 7 is connected to the float 8 by a bar 10.The float in its vertical movement controls the degree of oscillation ofthe valve 7 and brings the opening 11 in the latter into or out ofregister with the feed pipe and the receptacle 4 for the purpose ofcontrolling the flow of oil to the receptacle 4. The botous types ofstills, I prefer to use the type ceptacle, an outlet pipe 15 isprovidedthrough which outlet the contents of the receptacle, aftertreatment therein, may be pumped or forced by the pump 16' into' the.

material undergoing distillation inv the secondary still 1 through thepipe 17 and liquid impellingi'jet apparatus shown inenlarged detail inFig. 3.

It will thus be evident'that the primary still forms an intermediarybetween the source of supply and the secondary still.

oil is purified, preheated and predistilled to a certain extent. It alsofollows that the fresh material will serveto condense such portions ofthe gaseous products from the secondary still which are injected ihtothefreshmaterial in the primary still as are condensabl'e at thetemperature at which the material in the receptacle 4 is maintained.These condensates, along with the predistilled and preheated fresh oilare then carried to the secondary still and injected into the materialundergoing distillation therein as shown, whereby a cracking reac-'Within the apparatus the supply of heavy tion takes place between thematerial in jected'and the material undergoing distillatlon, asdescribed.

The top wall of the receptacle 4 has a central opening with a downwardlydepend;

ing member 18 which terminates in a verti cal pipe 19, the lower end ofwhich carries a flaring or bell-shaped member 20. This bell-shapedmemberextends to points adjacent'the wall of the receptacle 4 and is thereperforated with a series of. holes 21. Surrounding the member 18 andconcentric therewith is a tubular bafile member :22 for the purpose ofpromoting circulation within Diametrically disposed. in the top wall ofthe receptacle 4 are mounted vertical pipes 23 terminating at theirlower portion and below the flange member 20 in elbows24, the inner endsof the elbowsbeing open and providing free entry for the fluid containedin the receptacle into the pipes 23. The upper ends of the pipes 23 areconnected by regulating valves 25 with chambered cross pipes 26. Thepipes 26 terminate radially of the receptacle 4 in jet nozzles 27 havinga common axis through the diameter of the receptacle 4. The reactionchamber 28, which is mounted on top ofthe receptacle 4: and forming acontinuation of the member 28, is adapted to surround the jets 27.Entrant jet nozzles 29 form part of the cross members 26 and terminateabove the axis of the pipes 23. The entrant jets 29 are fed from themanifold 30 which is adapted for connection .to the secondary still 1 bymeans of the pipe 2. A regulating valve 31 controls a supply of gaseousproducts from the secondary still 1. While only two jets are shown inthe present modification, it will be understood that any number of jets,with their accompanying pipes, may be employed, or the jets may playupon a baffle.

In order to impart proper kinetic energy to the gaseous products,satisfactory results may be obtainedby the use of a jet apparatus suchas disclosed, following proportions based upon the standard practice inconnection with steam injectors for the feed waterof boilers, asdisclosed in my copending application Serial No. 379,358, filed May 6,1920, of which this application is a division.

Mounted upon the top wall of the receptacle 4 is a vapor dome 32 whichis provided with an outlet pipe 33 to lead the gaseous products to acondenser or other suitable apparatus for fractionally separating thedesired products.

In carrying out the operation in connection with the form of apparatusshown, the .valve 31 is opened permitting the gaseous products underhigh pressure from the secondary still 1 to pass through the manifold 30into the jets'or nozzles 29. The gaseous products from the still passthrough the jets 29 which are so designed as to produce a high velocityby expansion, and they are delivered from the nozzles 27 into thereaction chamber 28 wherein they impinge upon one another. The jetshaving given the fluid issuing therefrom a very high velocity, impartsthereto kinetic energy which is expended at the point of impact.

The gaseous products from this step now pass down the pipe 19 and bubbleup through the body of the liquid 5 in the receptacle 4.

In this way the heat brought over by the stream of gaseous'products fromthe secondary still 1 and the heat caused by the impact of thefluid'j'ets serve to heat the body of liquid in the receptaclea'preliminary step to its treatment in the secondary still 1. By thismeans the temperastill 1. It may-also be possible that some additionalaction may take place between the freely ionized gaseouslproducts fromthe jets and the heavy material in the receptacle. The use of the bafllemember 22 serves to set up convection currents, which materially aid inthe heating of the material in the receptacle and the separation of theimpurities and foreign substances from the fresh supply of oil beforetreatment in the still. The upwardly moving material-carries the gaseousproducts in bubbles which. are released at the surface of the liquid andpermits the latter to return through the channel between the pipe 19 andthe member 22. The solid material which has been separated out settlesto. the bottom of the receptacle 4 and is drawn off periodically bymeans of the valve 13. While this reaction just discussed may be carriedout without the presence of liquid material in the zone of impact, ithas been found advantageous to inject into the reaction chamber and intothe field of the impinging masses, a certain portion of heavy oil. Bsuitable manipulation of the valves 25, the jets 29 and nozzles 27 actas injectors which serve to lift the liquid. through the pipes '23, mixit with the incoming jets of hot gaseous products from the secondarystill 1, and project the mixture at high velocity into the reactionchamber28 where it is subjected to heat. and treatment by impact.

In operation it .is desirable to regulate the valves 25 so as toregulate the flow of oils into the jets in such a manner .that in thepreliminary steps to operation, a sulficient flow of oil may be passedthrough the jets to quickly heatv up the oil in the recep-- products andthe oil in a finely divided liquid state are subjected to impact withits consequent reaction.

The liquid. particles, intermixed with the gaseous products, act toincrease the action I of impact by mutual impact with them and aresubject to dissociation themselves, due

to the action of impact The friction caused by the attrition of themutually imshown at pacting masses is inducive to the formation ofstatic electricity with its consequent ionizing effect.

During the cracking distillation occurring in the secondary still 1, aportion of the gaseous products are cracked, while other portions remainuncracked. These gaseous products .are subjected to the action of impactby means of jet apparatus, with the result that the gaseous products aresubjected to dissociation on impact and the uncracked gaseous productsfrom the still likewise undergo dissociation. In this manner the gaseousproducts from the still and the liquid from the receptacles 4 aresubjected to dissociation which results in new atomic groups and aproduct of lighter gravity and lower boiling point.

In carrying out my' process the water vapor present in the oil may enterinto the action taking place in the reaction chamber 28, a hydrogenatingefiect taking place. If desired, water could be added to the heavy oilin the receptacle or directly to the jets, in order to increase ahydrogenating effect. Hydrogen gas can also be admitted inthe samemanner and for the same purpose.

Referring to 3, it will be seen that the oil fed to the secondary still1 by the pump 3 .is injected into the oil undergoing.

distillation by means. of a multiple jet ap-' paratus, shown at 33,which is composed of a spreader 34 from which depend a series of nozzles35; These nozzles extend downwardly between the partitions of the .rearheader so as to cause a rapid impelling of the material undergoingdistillation'in a uniform manner. When operating with viscous materialit is desirable to use a mechanical device, such as a propeller which Ihave shown at 36 in combination with the jets 35. When this is done' thepipe connections to the jet apparatus 33 will be so formed as to permitthe proper location of the driving means for the propeller.' .It may befound desirable to use either the propeller or the jets alone in certaininstances' A safetyvalve 37 is located in the pipe line 2 to relieve anydangeroustpfessure in the still 1. A drain pipe,

38, permits theremoval of the residues which collect in the trap 39.- Afuel burner located at 40 is so designated as to direct the flamedownwardly in. the

furnace41 as shown. I- find it desirable to direct the flame of theburner downwardly so that the heat therefrom will be conduc ed to the.pipes by radiation 'rather than direct contact therewith. I find thatthis assists in avoiding over cracking ofthe oil-due tothe'successivelocalized heat and results in a more. even distribution of the heat. Apartition 42, 42-is so placed that the gases of combustion are causedto'pass bottom thereof. This passa e is normally obstructed by a brickor bricks, indicated at 46. If it should happen that from any cause thetubes or other portion of the still should be destroyed so as to allowan escape of the oil therein, the oil would push the brick or bricks 46out of the passage 45 and the oil would fill the pit 43, thus forming aliquid wall in such a manner as to cut off the draft; This .stifles theconflagration if the draft were not shut ofi.

- In the base of the stack 44 is placed a weighted valve 47 which isheld in open position by a plug 48, of such material as will be effectedby excessive heat to destroy the function thereof. I find that a plug ofWood in this position satisfactorily performs the desired function,although other tem-' perature-responsive material might be used. If thetemperature of the gases of combustion passing through the stack becomesso great as to'destroy the plug, the weight on the valve will cause thevalve to close off the draft, thereby reducing the temperature of v thestill below the danger point.

While the particular embodiment ofv my invention has been described withreference to the treatment of petroleum for the production of lighterhydrocarbons, it is of course to be understood that my apparatus mayoperate on chemicals other than hydrocarbons.

other conditions and reactions than those .It is also to be understoodthat described may be present in the process and come within the scopeof the appended claims. Y

What I claim is:

1. In an apparatus for the conversion of hydrocarbon oils, thecombination of a still operable under pressure, an oil receptacle, meansfor supplying fresh oil to said receptacle, means for subjecting thegaseous products of distillation from said still to impact, and meansfor conducting the products of impact into the oil in said receptacle.

.' 2. In an apparatus for the conversion of hydrocarbon oils, thecombination of a still operable under pressure, an oil receptacle, meansfor supplying fresh oil to said receptacle, a jet'apparatus' adaptedtosubject the gaseous products of distillation. from said still toimpact, means for conducting gaseous :products of'distillation to saidjet apparams, and means for conducting the products of impact from saidjet apparatus into the oil in said still.

' 3. In an apparatus 'hydrocarbo'n oils, the combination of a still:operable under pressure, an oil receptacle, a

'etapparatus adapted -tg subject separate for the conversion of i massesof the gaseous products of distillation to mutual impact, means forconducting the gaseous products of distillationto said jetv apparatus,and means for. conducting products of impact into the oil in saidreceptacle.

' 4. In an apparatus for the conversion of hydrocarbon oils, thecombination of a still operable under pressure, an oil receptacle, meansfor supplying fresh oil to said receptacle, means for subjecting thegaseous products of distillation from said still to impact, means forconducting the products of impact into the oil in said receptacle, meansfor conducting the mixture of residual oil and condensates formed oncontact of the products of impact with said oil to said still andinjecting them into the material undergoing distillation therein, andmeans for removing and condensing the gaseous products in saidreceptacle.

5. In an apparatus for the conversion of hydrocarbon oils, thecombination of a still operable under pressure, an oil receptacle,

jet apparatus adapted to subject the gaseous products of distillationfrom said still to impact, a casing connected to said jet apparatus soas to receive the gaseous products of distillation therefrom, saidcasing forming a closure within which said gaseous products ofdistillation are subjected to impact, a conduit leading from said casingadapted to conduct the products of impact therefrom into the oil insaidreceptacle, and means for supplying said receptacle with fresh oil.

6. In an apparatus for the'conversion of A hydrocarbon oils, thecombination of a still operable under pressure, an oil receptacle, meansfor supplying fresh oil to said receptacle, a jet apparatus, a casingmounted on said receptacle, means for conductingthe gaseous products ofdistillation from said still to said jet apparatus, said jet apparatusand casing being so connected and constructed'as tocause the gaseousproducts of dis tillation to be subjected to impact within said casing,a conduit connected to said casing. and extending into said receptacleadapted to conduct the products of impact from said casing into the oilin said receptacle, and an outlet conduit for the gaseous products insaid receptacle.

In an apparatus for the conversion of hydrocarbon oils, thecombinationof a still operable under pressure, an oil receptacle, means forsupplying fresh oil to said receptacle, a jet apparatus, a casingmounted on said receptacle, means for conducting the gaseous products ofdistillation from said still to said jet apparatus, said jet apparatusand casing-being so connected and constructed as to cause the gaseousproducts of distillation to be subjected to impact within said casing, aconduit connected to said casing and extending into said receptacleadapted to Iconductthe products of impact from said easing into the oilin said receptacle, conduits connected to said jet apparatus andextending into said receptacle adapted to conduct oil from saidreceptacle to said jet apparatus in such amanner as to'be mixed with thegaseous products of distillation passing through said apparatus, and anoutlet conduit for the gaseous products in said receptacle. 4

8. In an apparatus for the conversion of hydro-carbon oils, thecombination of a still operable under pressure, an oil receptacle, meansfor supplying fresh oil to said receptacle, a jet apparatus, a casingmounted on said receptacle, means for conducting the gaseous products ofdistillation from said still to said et apparatus, said jet apparatusand casing being so connected and constructed as to cause the gaseousproducts of distillation to be subjected to impact within said casing, aconduit connected to said casing and extending into sald receptacleadapted to conduct the products of impact from said casing into the oilin said receptacle, means within said receptacle for augmentingconvection currents in the oil therein, and an outlet conduit for thegaseous products in said receptacle.

9. In an apparatus for the conversion of hydro-carbon oils, thecombination of a receptacle, a jet apparatus, a manifold for supplying afluid to said jet apparatus, a casing connected to said apparatusadapted to receive the discharge of fluid from said jet apparatus, aconduit connected to said casing and extending into said receptacle, aplurality of valve controlled means conne'cted to said jet apparatus andextending into said receptacle adapted to conduct fluids from saidreceptacle to said jet apparatus so as to be intermixed with the fluidpassing therethroughfi 10. In an apparatus for the conversion ofhydrocarbon oils, the combination of a receptacle, a jet apparatuscomprising a plurality of nozzles, a manifold connecting said nozzles,casings surrounding said nozzles,

said casing being provided with nozzlesing and extending into saidreceptacle, and an open-ended casing surrounding said conduit in saidreceptacle.

12. In an apparatus for the conversion of hydrocarbon oils, thecombination of a receptacle, a jet apparatus, a casing connected withsaid jet apparatus so as to cause the fluids therefrom to be subjectedto impact within said casing, a conduit connected to said casing andextending into said receptacle, said conduit being provided with abell-shaped member at the outer end thereof, and an open-ended casingsurrounding said conduit in said receptacle and extending to a point inproximity to said bell-shaped member.

13. In an apparatus for the conversion of hydrocarbon oils, thecombination of a receptacle, a jet apparatus, a casing connected withsaid jet apparatus so as to cause the fluids therefrom to be subjectedto impact within said casing, a conduit connected to said casing andextending into said receptacle, said conduit being provided With abell-shaped member at the outer end thereof, an open-ended casingsurrounding said conduit in said receptacle and extending to a point inproximity to said bell-shaped member, a plurality of conduits extendinginto said receptacle and connected to said jet apparatus and to be mixedwith the fluids passing therethrough, said conduits having portionsextending beneath said bell-shaped member, and means for controlling asupply -oi fluid to said receptacle.

14:, In an apparatus for the conversion of hydrocarbon oils, thecombination of a receptacle, a jet apparatus, a casing connected withsaid jet apparatus so as to cause the fluids therefrom to be subjectedto impact Within said casing, a conduit connected to said casing andextending into said receptacle, said conduit being provided With abell-shaped member at the outer end thereof, an open-ended casingsurrounding said conduit in said receptacle and extending to a point inproximity to said bell-shaped member, a plurality of conduits extendinginto said receptacle and connected to said jet apparatus so as toconduct fluids from said receptacle to said jet apparatus and to bemixed with the fluids passing therethrough,

said conduits having portions extending beneath said bell-shaped member,a Valve controlled outlet at the bottom of said receptacle, and meansforcontrolling a supply of fluid to said receptacle.

In testimony'whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

VICTOR LEE EMERSON.

